Craig Moore hoping to help Rangers unearth the new Alfredo Morelos on his global travels as an international agent

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CRAIG Moore had no qualms about leaving his home in Brisbane and moving over 10,000 miles away to Glasgow to realise his dream of becoming a professional footballer when he was just a teenager.

That willingness to go walkabout in order to achieve his career goals hasn’t left the former Rangers and Australia defender; he has been racking up the air miles since becoming an agent last year.

Africa, Brazil and China as well as Denmark, England, France, Germany, Poland, Portugal and Sweden have all been ports of call as he has tapped into the extensive contacts he has built up across the globe from his time in the game as a player, coach, talent mentor and sporting director.

The world may well, with the advances in technology in recent years, be a much smaller place now than it was when he embarked on his footballing odyssey, but Moore still recognises the advantages of boarding a flight to firing off an email.

“You can make phone calls, you can send messages, but I think it’s important to meet people face to face and see what they are doing for yourself,” he said.

The prospect of a tie-up with Ashanti Gold in Ghana prompted Moore and his business partner John Viola, the Scot who represented him throughout his playing days and who he has formed the 451 Football Consultancy with, to fly out to Africa at the end of last year.

They have reached an agreement to market Ashanti’s most talented players overseas as a result of their visit.

“John and I have travelled far and wide, starting in South America, visiting Asia, moving on to Africa and going across Europe,” he said. “I have got my own network and John has a long list of contacts as well. We are able to bring a lot of things to the table. It has been busy, but it’s been brilliant.

“Through talking to our connections, an opportunity came up to visit Ghana and Ashanti Gold. There is a very talented market in Africa. So it was a no brainer for us to go out and see it first hand.

“Ashanti Gold were impressed by the work we had put in and how we plan to create pathways for their players. It is about providing opportunities. The only negative at the moment is that the league in Ghana is currently suspended (due to a match fixing scandal involving referees). But that provides opportunity as well.”

Moore added: “Africa is just one part of what John and I are looking at. We have been to Brazil a number of times. We have some fantastic connections there. It is a very hot market currently. Just look at the players who have come from over there to the Premier League in England.

“China is on my doorstep as well. It would be silly of me not to gain education and knowledge there because there are big opportunities there also.”

Moore certainly grasped the chance he was given at Rangers after being spotted by an agent playing for Australia at the World Youth Cup in his homeland back in 1993; he represented the Ibrox club for 12 seasons in total and won every honour in the Scottish game during that time.

Now 43, and still looking as fit and lean as he did during his playing days, he believes that emigrating to Scotland at such a young age prepared him for the many challenges he would subsequently face during the course of his career.

“I have life experiences I can pass on to players who are faced with those same tough decisions now,” he said. “I don’t have to make judgements based on what I think or hope might happen. It is what I know because I have been through it myself.”

Moore, though, understands that moving to too high a level too early can be detrimental to a player’s development regardless of their ability and potential.

“I have no doubt more players from Africa will come into the game,” he said. “Football there is very raw, but there is so much talent and the players are hungry for the opportunity to not only change their lives, but change their family’s lives as well.

“In South America and other parts of Europe it is the same story. You have professional football players who have come from schemes and tough areas. There is a desire to have a better life. For a lot of people it is all they know. They sacrifice everything to make it possible.

“But, coming from a football background, I know it is crucial to have a strategic plan behind a player. It’s important not to take too big a step at first. When you leave your home, leave your country, sometimes it is very difficult to adapt to a new climate and a new culture a new style of football. These are all things we look at.”

Moore returned to Ibrox during a visit to Scotland in November and received a warm reception from Rangers supporters when he came onto the park at half-time in a Ladbrokes Premiership match against Motherwell that his old club won 7-1. “They’ll be hoping I come back all the time,” he joked.

Moore is in contact with his former Rangers team mate John Brown and Andy Scoulding, who both work in the scouting department at Ibrox under director of football Mark Allen, on a regular basis. He is hopeful that he, along with other former players, can play some part in the revival of the Govan club in his new role.

“I speak with Bomber frequently,” he said.” It is fantastic to be able to stay connected with him and hear how things are progressing.

“Think about the number of players who have come through at Rangers over the years. They have had players from all over the world. They have got a wonderful opportunity there. You just have to look at where they are based, what they can see.”

Asked if he would recommend players he spots on his travels around the globe to Rangers in future, Moore said: “Of course, no problem. I know what it takes to be successful at the club, what type of character is needed. Success is important now because history is on the line in the next couple of years. They want people to come in and do a job now.”

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